Climate Change Commission and Nestlé PH announce Klimathon Champions

 

Three teams emerged as winners in the recently concluded “Klimathon: Our Race Towards A Net Zero Reality,” a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Nestlé Philippines that provided a platform for the youth to develop innovative and sustainability-based solutions addressing the impacts of climate change.

Climate Change Commission and Nestlé PH announce Klimathon Champions

The Klimathon grand finals ceremony was held virtually on April 22, 2022 with the top ten finalists presenting their project concepts to the judges chaired by Dr. Maria Angela Zafra of the National Panel of Technical Experts of CCC, with members Ms. Adona Princesa San Diego of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Ms. Laarni Piloton of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Ms. Antoinette Taus, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and founder of CORA Philippines; and Ms. Jasmine Estacio, Innovation Portfolio Management Head of Nestlé Philippines.

The proposals were judged based on their relevance to climate action, innovativeness, community impact, and sustainability.

Klimathon Champions

Team Econique from the Ateneo De Naga University bagged the third place for their entry, “PH Green Energy Harvesting Using Modified Triboelectric Nanogenerator (M-TENG),” while Team Genoplas from The Mabini Academy placed second for their proposal, “GENOPLAS: A Revolutionary Sustainable Multifunctional Bioplastics from Upcycled Fish Waste Components.”

  

Team Neutralizer from the University of Mindanao emerged as the first-ever Klimathon Champions with their project concept, “Synthesis of Engineered Bamboo Nanocomposite Through Sol-Gel Technique: A Breakthrough in Automated Vertical Farming using Hydroponics in the Philippines.

 

“We are really honored to become the first-ever Klimathon Champions. All our hard work over the past six months to hone and improve our proposal has been worth it. We would like to thank CCC and Nestlé Philippines for believing in what the youth can do for the environment; for giving us the opportunity to showcase our ideas and learn first-hand from industry experts through the mentorship program,” said Jeremiah Malalis and Larry Competente from Team Neutralizer

 

The top three winning teams received cash prizes that they can use as seed money to further develop and/or implement their project concepts. Special awards were also given to teams that developed embodying and promoting gender empowerment, originality, and community participation:

• Team Genoplas - Gender Empowerment
• Team Econique - Originality
• Team Tagubtub - Community Participation

 

“As we commemorate Earth Day, let us continue to invest more in our youth, in our communities, and in our creativity and intellect as a nation towards sustainability and resiliency. This is the only way to go in order for us to secure a better future for our nation,” said Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of CCC.

 

Youth as inheritors of the planet

During the program, House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda expressed her support for the Filipino youth and what they are doing for the environment through a special message.

 

“It is encouraging to see young people already very heavily involved in climate action, all the more because you are doing this in the face of immense challenges and uncertainties because of the pandemic. You are an inspiration to us all,” Deputy Speaker Legarda said. “The next few years ahead will be critical in securing a livable future for humanity. To do so, we will need to stimulate and scale up innovation. The youth of the world are going to be key partners in this endeavor.”

 

 

The youth participants committed to use their capabilities toward net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the Klimathon Pledge led by Ms. Antoinette Taus.

In his closing remarks, Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Klimathon in keeping with the inclusive approach of empowering the youth and consumers to take action. 

 

“Through Klimathon, we are privileged to be able to work with the youth in particular, providing a platform for developing science-based solutions to climate change,” he said. “To our youth participants, you are among the most passionate and creative members of society, and you can make a difference. It is for you to apply the knowledge and insights that you have gained, to be the changemakers that the world needs today.”

 

In order to achieve its goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, Nestlé Philippines continues to engage in partnerships with like-minded stakeholders and work with different sectors in the country. 

 

Nestlé Philippines has achieved a fresh milestone in tackling plastic waste as it completes its first year of plastic neutrality, the first multinational fast-moving consumer goods company in the country to do so. 

Year one of plastic neutrality: Nestlé PH recovers 27,000 tons of waste

Since August 2020, the company has collected, co-processed, and diverted from the environment over 27,000 metric tons of plastic waste, slightly above the volume of used plastic in the packaging that it has put out in the market over the past year. 

Nestlé Philippines partners with various organizations to achieve and sustain Plastic Neutrality. Following its first year of being plastic neutral, it believes that it can do more by working together with its employees, consumers and other stakeholders.

 

The milestone comes as Nestlé Philippines marks its 110th year in the country, determined to intensify its initiatives towards a waste-free future, with a commitment to make its packaging, including plastics, 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025. Additionally, it commits to reduce a third of virgin plastic use within the same time frame. More specifically, Nestlé Philippines will reduce its use of virgin plastics by 1,100 metric tons in 2021 and is continuously looking for more sustainable packaging through its research centers globally.

The Philippines is the third-largest source of ocean plastic worldwide. Nestlé continues to accelerate its initiatives to address plastic waste holistically in the country across three focus areas: (1) developing the packaging for the future, through packaging and delivery innovation and plastic reduction; (2) helping to shape a waste-free future through increased collection and recycling; and (3) driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management education.

"As a food and beverage manufacturer with a major presence in the country, we are called upon to be at the forefront in confronting urgent issues that our planet faces. Our vision, which we are working hard to realize, is that none of our packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills, in oceans, seas, and rivers. A few years ago, we identified plastic neutrality as a major step forward for us as a company and it is our most important environmental milestone to date. The way has been full of challenges, requiring significant investments and a learning curve as we acquired experience. But we have demonstrated that it can be done, and it is viable. We are grateful to our partners including Republic Cement, CEMEX Holdings Philippines, and Plastic Credit Exchange for enabling us to become plastic neutral," said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

With its partners, Nestlé Philippines is collecting plastic waste from local government units and communities in different parts of the country. The waste is co-processed in cement kilns, a waste management method by which waste materials are processed at a very high temperature. This breaks down complex materials into simpler compounds and the energy or mineral content of wastes are completely recovered and utilized in the process of producing cement. Emissions from the process are filtered and monitored in compliance with standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Looking to the future, Mr. Marzouki said the company is advocating the passage of legislation that will put in place an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for plastic waste. EPR is a comprehensive policy approach in which a manufacturer's or importer's responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumption stage of its life cycle.

 

Nestlé also co-developed solid waste management modules for schools and also created condensed materials for teens and parents which have been endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission

To do more together, Nestlé Philippines is encouraging consumers to become a Kasambuhay for the Environment. They can start by visiting Nes.tl/KasambuhayForTheEnvironment where they can access solid waste management modules developed for parents and teens, and learn about the waste cycle, proper segregation, recycling, and more. The website also lists locations where they can drop off their plastic waste for recycling, including Nestlé-sponsored collection points at SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, and SM Fairview, among other sites. 

To further its commitment to the planet, Nestlé launched the Isabuhay sa Bahay challenge which aims to encourage its 5,000 strong employees how to live a more sustainable lifestyle for the good of the planet

"At Nestlé Philippines, we are deeply committed to attaining our environmental goals, consistent with our vision of a waste-free future. As we have been in the Philippines for 110 years, we want to leave a legacy, anchored on our respect for the future and coming generations, that includes effectively caring for the planet," Mr. Marzouki said.

PWDe to Showcase PWDs’ Best-Kept Secrets on an Online Bazaar

PWDe to Showcase PWDs’ Best-Kept Secrets on an Online Bazaar

 

In celebration of National Disability Week, newly established social enterprise Precious Works of Differently Abled Enterprise (PWDe) will put the spotlight on the talents and skills of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) through an online bazaar happening from July 21-24, 2021 on Lazada.

 

The online bazaar will feature the following products made, and services to be provided by deaf people, people with Autism and Down syndrome, physically disabled people, and other PWDs:

 

• Food products - French macarons, no-bake cheesecakes, Korean samgyupsal sets, buko pandan, macaroni
• Craft and gift items - Paintings, customized flower and basket arrangements, table runners,  saori weaves, drawstring pouches, t-shirts
• Services - Encoding, cleaning, sign language classes. graphic design, photography

 

You can avail of these products and services by visiting the dedicated page for the event on the Lazada website or app Precious Works of Differently Abled Enterprise (lazada.com.ph)

 

“I am excited with the possibility of empowering PWDs through this meaningful project,” says Arlene Tan-Bantoto, founding member of PWDe and a mother to an artistic daughter with Autism.

 

Driven to empower and create sustainable growth and livelihood for PWDs, Arlene and three other passionate individuals formed PWDe, a non profit social enterprise that aims to provide a space where PWDs can provide their goods and services to the public. These include Archie David, founder of Independent Living and Learning Center which is a school for special needs-children; Princess Schuck, a marketing professional who has found passion in supporting PWDs; and Elyse Go, co-founder of Hand and Heart, a social enterprise that facilitates jobs and livelihood for PWDs.

 

PWDe is supported by JCI Manilena, Lazada Philippines and the National Commission on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

 

Support, empower and celebrate inclusion and diversity by supporting the PWDe Online Bazaar on Lazada from July  21-24, 2021.

Nestlé agronomist conducting training for farmers under the Nescafé Plan.

Nestlé Philippines supports Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Movement

 

Hunger and malnutrition are among the most urgent concerns of Filipinos, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey by the Social Weather Stations found that 20.9 percent or 5.2 million Filipinos experienced hunger from May to July 2020, the highest recorded since September 2014.

In addressing this challenge, Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) has initiated Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), a national and multi-sectoral movement against hunger composed of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies from different industries. The program aims to reach one million Filipinos by 2022 and end hunger in 2030 by implementing the following work streams: ensuring food availability and accessibility, securing nutrition adequacy, and providing assistance for farmers and fisherfolk.

Fourth from left is Sec. William Dar - Secretary of Department of Agriculture, who led the National Food Security Summit with the theme “Food for today and beyond: transforming Philippine Agriculture”. During the closing ceremony, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles presented Pilipinas Kontra Gutom with support from the private sector including Nestlé PH.

 

Nestlé Philippines is the private sector co-lead of work stream #1 – food availability and accessibility – through its NESCAFÉ Plan, with the vision to elevate farming as a dignified, sustainable profession.  Government partners for work stream #1 are the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

Within PKG, Nestlé Philippines through its NESCAFÉ Plan will provide mentorship in agricultural technology and training to farmers, with the NESCAFÉ Better Farming Practices helping them improve the quality and quantity of their coffee yields using more sustainable and profitable methods.

 

The NESCAFÉ Plan is a global initiative that helps ensure a sustainable supply of quality green coffee. Through it, coffee farmers are provided access to superior quality plantlets, technology transfer via training, a support network of agronomists, and strategically located buying stations close to coffee areas so farmers can sell directly to Nestlé.

 

“Nestlé Philippines is proud to support the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Movement. In line with one of PKG’s thrusts focusing on farming assistance, we want to make coffee farming a sustainable livelihood for our local farmers in the economic, environmental and social aspects.  With the NESCAFÉ Plan, they can learn about the best available technologies and techniques that seek to elevate coffee farming from subsistence to agripreneurship, enhancing their quality of life,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

Nestlé PH supports Plastic 3R Hacks PH in search for innovations to tackle plastic pollution

Industry experts from the private, public and NGO organizations came together as the judges to review the proposals during the final round of the Plastics Hackathon - Team STP , upper left, was declared the winning team 

Nowadays, the younger generation is actively doing its part to save the planet by championing advocacies to combat climate change and plastic waste, supporting sustainable brands and their causes, and promoting the importance of a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. With the help of technology, they are developing practical and effective solutions that haven’t been tried before to address pressing environmental problems.

Recently, young minds harnessed fresh and unique ideas to solve plastic pollution through a nationwide virtual hackathon called Plastic 3R Hacks PH, organized by Redwizard Events Technology in collaboration with the Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative.

More than 150 participants representing cities and universities across the country registered for the competition and underwent a series of virtual activities to develop their projects. After preliminary judging, ten teams were selected, advancing to the final stage in which they pitched their projects to a board of judges composed of industry experts and representatives from UN-Habitat Philippines and the Government of Japan.

In the end, Team STP from Manila was declared the winner for its project that combined urban farming, data science, and IoT to decrease household generated waste and increase the recovery rate of plastic waste. The team received a cash prize of Php 50,000, which will help it to further develop its project.

The winning team STP Manila with Misha Rabat, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Sustainability of Nestlé Philippines 

With the vision that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills and the environment, Nestlé Philippines fully supports initiatives like the Plastic 3R Hacks PH that drive awareness and discourse on the plastic waste crisis. During the program, Misha Rabat, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Sustainability of Nestlé Philippines, shared the company’s initiatives to achieve its ambition of making 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 while reducing virgin plastic consumption by 1/3.

“At our research centers in Switzerland and around Asia, we are looking at alternatives to plastics. In the Philippines, one of our recent milestones is the shift from plastic to paper straws for our ready-to-drink products We’re also reducing plastics in our operations and testing refilling stations to distribute our products.”

“One of the things we are doing to avoid our waste ending up in nature is sustaining plastic neutrality. This means we are recovering the equivalent amount of plastic that we put out in the market. Since August last year, we‘ve collected over 18,000 MT of plastic that are repurposed through our cement partners.”

Nestlé Philippines also supports infrastructure for the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic waste, and has developed school modules, and guide materials for parents and teens on solid waste management endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission. 

There is no denying that one of the greatest environmental challenges the world faces today is the plastic waste crisis. Globally, the Philippines is the third largest source of ocean plastic waste.

Nestlé PH ramps up solid waste management education for World Oceans Day

Fortunately, more and more Filipinos are becoming more conscious of their lifestyles and are starting to adopt sustainable choices and decisions to reduce their carbon footprint and plastic consumption. 

Companies like Nestlé Philippines are intensifying their initiatives to address the plastic waste crisis in the country.

“As a food and beverage manufacturing company, Nestlé Philippines is committed to tackle plastic waste as an urgent priority in all stages of its value chain. We are also working to drive new understanding and behavior on waste and waste management and are supporting both our consumers and our employees in their efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Nestlé PH SVP and head of public affairs, communications and sustainability.  

In time for World Oceans Day, Nestlé PH launched the Isabuhay sa Bahay Challenge to empower its employees to take a more active role in helping care for the planet by accomplishing different tasks. Through this initiative, the company and its employees will strengthen their promise to the planet that they made during their Net Zero Fair last April.

 

In order to prepare them for the challenge, employees attended a training workshop facilitated by the Executive Director and Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas, Ms. Anna Oposa, that focused on zero-waste lifestyle tips, an introduction to segregation, and composting – three important areas that can help them practice responsible solid waste management at home.

 

“Every lifestyle change you make depends on your context, resources, and capacity. Whatever you are able to commit to is already a step in the right direction,” Ms. Oposa said.

Participants’ takeaways from the session included practical ways to cut down waste at home; the importance of segregation, and the types of waste that fall under the recyclable, residual, and biodegradable categories; and lastly, the methods and benefits of composting. More than just practicing these activities at home, Ms. Oposa encouraged the attendees to extend their efforts to the community by supporting sustainability efforts of corporations and organizations like Nestlé, reaching out to people in authority when needed, and influencing others by example.

 

 

For Nestlé PH, addressing the complex challenge of plastic waste requires support from key sectors and partners, including consumers.

Towards making a waste-free future a reality, the company is engaged in various efforts that encourage a change in behavior. Among these are the development of solid waste management education modules endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission. These modules have been rolled out to thousands of public schools for grades 1-10 students through Nestlé’s partnership with the Department of Education under the Nestlé Wellness Campus program. Condensed versions of the modules are also available to parents and teens for use at home.

 

Nestlé has also established collection points in collaboration with its partners where people can take their plastic waste for further processing, so they do not end up in landfills. In partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange, collection points have been set up in SM Malls in MOA, SM North Edsa, and SM Fairview.

 

Know more about Nestle Philippines’ initiatives as well as how to be a Kasambuhay for the Environment by visiting nestle.com.ph where you can download a copy of the solid waste management modules and view a list of other locations where you can drop off your used soft plastics.

Meet the newest eco-friendly spot in the Philippines! NutriAsia, the country’s leading producer of well-loved condiments and sauces, has launched a new kind of sustainability hub with multiple features that help Filipinos embrace a greener way of living. Strategically located at the bus stop along 30^th street beside Track 30^th in Bonifacio Global city (BGC), the NutriAsia EcoStation is a convenient neighborhood haven that people can enjoy.

 NutriAsia Launches its Latest Green Innovation in Bonifacio Global City!

The NutriAsia EcoStation is an eco-friendly oasis nestled among the skyscrapers of Bonifacio Global City

Nestled among the skyscrapers that dot the Bonifacio Global City landscape, the EcoStation houses NutriAsia’s latest green innovation, Select & Collect, a convenient and more sustainable way of shopping and restocking your well-loved NutriAsia kitchen staples.  A simple online process through the website https://selectandcollect.ph/ allows customers to select and pay for their pantry favorites. Then, they can choose a preferred time to pick up their purchases at either the curbside of the JY Campos Center, the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) booth in the Mind Museum, or the Select and Collect lockers at the NutriAsia EcoStation. This system enables people to collect their purchases at their own time and use their own reusable shopping bags. It is a concept that keeps purchasing pantry essentials safe by minimizing contact and it also allows people to lessen their carbon footprint through reducing unnecessary packaging.

Scan the QR Code to access your free water refill in the NutriAsia EcoStation!

The NutriAsia EcoStation also features a dispenser that gives free water refills for those with their own bottles and containers. It is NutriAsia’s way of encouraging people to embrace a refilling mind set through reusing containers they already have. Perfect for BGC joggers to grab a refreshing water break along their route! To access it, people merely have to scan the QR Code in the NutriAsia EcoStation which will bring them to the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) website. Here, they can generate a unique QR code that needs to be scanned using the dispenser’s camera to get their free water refills.

The dispenser gives free water refills for your reusable containers when you visit the NutriAsia Ecostation!

 

The Nutriasia Ecostation harnesses solar-energy to provide people convenient and accessible options to a more sustainable lifestyle and to power up an integrated watering system that irrigates the plants found in the EcoStation.

This automated locker serves as a convenient pickup point for your Select & Collect purchases.

“Through the NutriAsia Ecostation, we want to provide people more sustainable options that they can easily inject into their everyday routines. Giving people simple alternatives to reduce their impact on the environment helps push the sustainability conversation forward. We hope that our EcoStation is the first of many; we need to see more sustainable concepts in the future,” said James Lim, NutriAsia’s Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications.

By making more sustainable choices in our lives, we are already doing our part to impact our world in a kinder way! Visit the NutriAsia EcoStation for easy ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

 

Nestlé Philippines Supports PCEx and SM Malls’ Plastic Waste Collection Initiative

In a virtual event held recently, Plastic Credit Exchange (PCEx) and SM Malls formally launched their Plastic Waste Collection Program in partnership with Nestlé Philippines. This program aims not only to educate the public on the benefits of plastic waste management but also give them a place where they can bring their plastic waste for proper collection and disposal.

Through the Plastic Waste Collection Program, everyone can contribute to a cleaner environment by dropping off their empty, clean, and dry plastics from 10 am to 5 pm at the blue container van located in participating SM malls such as SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. The plastics are properly compacted and arranged before being collected for PCEx to transport to various recycling partners.

 

Nestlé Philippines supports the initiative in line with its goal of reducing plastic waste and preventing it from ending up in nature. 

“At Nestlé Philippines, we are leading with initiatives to tackle plastic waste. By 2025, we aim for our packaging to be recyclable or reusable. To do this, we have been working on packaging innovations, and increasing our efforts to support collection to improve sorting, recovery, and recycling. We are also helping to educate the public about the importance of proper waste management. Recognizing the complexity of the plastic waste issue, we are collaborating with partners to make a bigger impact and accelerate our journey to a waste-free future,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

Last year, Nestlé Philippines achieved a major environmental milestone by becoming the country’s first multinational fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company to attain plastic neutrality. Since August 2020, it has been collecting and co-processing more than the amount of plastic it uses for its packaging. This strongly supports the vision of Nestlé Philippines of preventing its packaging including plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans.

Mekeni employees extend goodwill to communities with gift-giving activities amid pandemic

Mekeni continues its annual gift giving activity. Four institutions in Pampanga received gift packs good for three to six months.

Mekeni employees extend goodwill to communities with gift-giving activities amid pandemic
 
Christmas came early for four select institutions in Pampanga as Mekeni Food Corporation employees spearheaded the company’s annual gift-giving tradition.
 
Beneficiaries from the Bahay Pag-ibig (home for the aged), Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth (for special and abandoned children), Duyan ni Maria (home for abandoned children), and Children’s Home of Immaculate Mary (home for abandoned children) received special gift packs which Mekeni employees gathered using the funds the management and they themselves raised.

“Christmas is all about giving but more than the gifts we have given our communities, we aspire to spread hope amidst these difficult times we are facing. We know that due to the pandemic, celebrating Christmas will not be the same this year. But we will not let this dampen the yuletide spirit as we ought to make this season more meaningful than ever,” said Mekeni’s Head of HR, Marilou Uy.

Mekeni has been doing this annual gift-giving program since 2008. However, due to the health concerns surrounding COVID-19, the program had to be done differently. Rather than going to the institutions and holding a program, Mekeni employees had to drop off the gifts in designated areas to ensure safety precautions can be maintained.

With the support of the management, Mekeni employees were able to provide joy to their beneficiaries through grocery packages that can sustain their basic food and hygiene requirements for the next three to six months.

“We hope to give memorable experiences and lasting memories for our beneficiaries through our annual gift-giving tradition. But this year, despite the challenges, we go over and beyond our mission by reminding them that whatever the pandemic throws at us, we will continue to serve them and uplift the quality of their lives in every way we can,” Uy said.

Apart from giving gifts to their partner communities, Mekeni did not hesitate to continue looking after the well-being of those who are beyond their circle. When disasters badly hit several places in Luzon, Mekeni employees showed their malasakit and perseverance to help the devastated communities through donation drives.

Mekeni employees prepared hot meals for the victims of Taal Volcano

In February 2020, after the Taal Volcano erupted, the company, together with the local government of Porac, Red Cross Rizal Chapter, and Rotary Club of San Juan del Monte, immediately went to Agoncillo, Batangas and held an outreach program for those who were affected. More than 2,000 hot meals were prepared and provided by the employees on-site.

Recently, food packs were turned over to the flood victims in the town of Macabebe and to the Aeta communities in Porac, Pampanga that have been hit by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. The indigenous communities were given gift packs consisting of food and other essentials. Mekeni also participated in outreach activities in Bicol by donating products for a feeding program there.

“Malasakit in the time of adversity is much-needed by our fellow Filipinos these days. As we ensure that our own employees and their families are safe and well-provided, we are also helping other communities to recover after being hit by natural disasters on top of the physical and economic problems that the pandemic has brought to them. We will continue reaching out to more communities to address their needs during these trying times,” said Mekeni President Prudencio S. Garcia.

 

#EndFamilyViolenceAgainstLGBTQChildren #EndGBV #FamiLigtasPH

FamiLIGTAS Calls For Increased Attention To GBV Against LBGTQ+

As the nation observes the annual 18-day campaign to end gender-based violence (GBV),FamiLigtas reminds us to also address the violence and discrimination experienced by the LGBTQ+ community.

FamiLigtas is a digital campaign against GBV in the Philippines during the time of COVID-19. But because GBV is most commonly associated with spousal and domestic violence against women, the experiences of violence among lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, and other non-binary individuals are often left unheard.

According to Human Rights Watch, only 15% of Filipinos are living in areas with ordinances against discrimination and violence based on SOGIE. The same report said that the low reporting and intervention of this kind of GBV is caused by the negative messages that the victim-survivors are receiving from authorities.

As the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill in congress, more and more non-binary people continue to experience discrimination, and even violence, at home and in public spaces.It is with that in mind that we are inviting you to a webinar about the often unreported instances of GBV against LGBTQ+ persons.

#EndFamilyViolenceAgainstLGBTQChildren #EndGBV #FamiLigtasPH

Support Lysol's Disinfect to Protect mission: Lysol encourages consumers to purchase Christmas bundle packs

A Gift of Health
Pula, PRC’s adorable bear and 2 units of 340g Lysol Disinfectant Spray are included in the special Christmas bundle 

 

Support Lysol’s Disinfect to Protect mission

 Lysol encourages consumers to purchase Christmas bundle packs

 
Following the forging of a strategic partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) early this year, which is aimed at bolstering its Disinfect to Protect mission, Lysol reaffirms its commitment to PRC as it continues to protect vulnerable communities by breaking down the chain of infections and ensuring everybody is protected from COVID-19 and other illnesses.
 
Towards this end, Lysol is encouraging consumers and the public to support PRC. Firstly, by donating to the COVID-19 Samaritan’s Fund, which makes available COVID-19 testing to the most susceptible and vulnerable groups. Secondly, by adopting Pula, PRC’s adorable bear, which can be owned in a special Christmas bundle pack consisting of 2 units of 340g Lysol Disinfectant Spray.
 
For every purchase of this special holiday-themed pack available in supermarkets nationwide, Lysol hopes to create further awareness on the efforts undertaken by PRC. Moreover, the special holiday-themed pack makes for an excellent gift for friends and family, reminding them to always practice good hygiene to Disinfect to Protect.
 
These worthwhile initiatives come at the heels of Lysol’s Php 36 million donation to  PRC for the construction of a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro City and towards the strengthening of COVID-19 mass testing among vulnerable groups in the country. The said facility, located at the Capitol Compound in CDO, completed its construction and passed the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s (RITM) proficiency test in September.
 
Equipped with 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines that can process 2000 tests per day, the facility is in operation since September 19^th, 2020 after receiving its accreditation as a certified COVID-19 testing center. With this latest development, more people in the region can now get the COVID-19 test they need so that they can feel better assured about their safety when returning to work.
 
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Lysol cannot stress enough about the importance of disinfecting the home and the workplace, frequently-touched surfaces, by using their superior line of products: from disinfectant sprays to multi-action cleaners—tested that has been proven effective against the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, Lysol also stresses on the importance of proper handwashing, another effective line of defense against viruses.
 
Truly, we can all do our share in contributing towards the meaningful Disinfect to Protect mission. For more information, check-out the official Philippine Red Cross Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/phredcross.

Shopee supports the learning community along with World Vision and the Department of Education 

Shopee Partners with World Vision and the Department of Education to Help Filipino Students Continue Distance Learning 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with World Vision and the Department of Education (DepEd) to support the youth and the education continuity programs during the pandemic.

Abutin Na10 Fundraising Drive with World Vision

Shopee partners with World Vision to be its exclusive e-commerce partner for its Abutin Na10 campaign to support the DepEd’s initiatives on Filipino youth’s learning continuity. The campaign aims to raise funds to provide students with limited services online and other learning tools to help them with distance learning. 

Rommel V. Fuerte, Executive Director at World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., said, “World Vision, in partnership with the Department of Education, launched Abutin Na10 to help learners cope with learning continuity challenges brought by COVID19. It is heartwarming to know that more and more organizations like Shopee want to provide them gadgets and printed learning modules so learners can study safely in their homes. We pray that God will continue to bless you as you give hope to children.”

Learning Through Radios 

Also, Shopee collaborates with the Department of Education to donate transistor radios for students in rural districts. Transistor radios will allow students with no signal or access to the internet to listen to broadcasted lessons from DepEd.

Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq, Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships and Project Management Service at DepEd, said, “We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our partners World Vision and Shopee for this very successful Virtual Launching of their joint partnership for the Abutin Na10 Campaign; as well Shopee’s donations of radio transistors for our learners in remote areas. With the support of these partners, we will surely give our learners quality basic education amidst this pandemic. Let us continue to join our hands and work together for the welfare and future of our Filipino learners.” 

With Shopee’s partnership with both organizations, Filipino students can continue their education during the pandemic.

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is glad to partner with World Vision and the Department of Education to help the Filipino youth continue learning amidst the pandemic. We understand the importance of education and are committed to making a difference in Filipino children’s lives. We will continue to step up on our efforts to better serve the Filipino community, especially during these challenging times.” 

For more information on how you can donate to the Abutin Na10 campaign, visit this link https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-world-vision 

Donate to the Abutin Na10 campaign on World Vision’s Official Shopee page here https://shopee.ph/worldvisionph 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.